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A question for those who don't run a intercooler with a blower, I am at the point in my build where I need to decide, I understand the water meth injection under boost but the in town in 100 deg heat, how are you making that work, what kind of inlet air temp increase can I expect when not under boost?
Out of boost and during cruise under 2,000 rpm, you can expect to see inlet air/blower discharge air temps of about 120-150F at 80F ambient.
At 100F, expect the temperatures to shift upward. Which blower, pulleys, step-up ratio, trans and gear ratios are we talking about? More impeller rpm means more heat.
If you monitor the discharge air temp, you will find yourself cruising around in the highest gear possible to keep the impeller rpm and temps down.
You make it work by using the appropriate fuel and appropriate spark advance for the conditions.
A P1SC may make things worse. I was assuming Vortech.
What do the impeller blades look like? Are they straight (radial) blades starting from the hub? or Do they have some inlet curvature? The straght bladed P1SC is known to have rather poor efficiency. Its on the order of 55%
A P1SC was not my first choise for sure but its what I have. My original plan was to put twin intercoolers under the headlights, I could have it on the road way sooner non intercooled but I dont think I will be happy with that at all.
stevebien- this topic has been discussed several times, and the boys with the LT-x engines have tried to come up with several alternative A/W intercoolers.
in the end, i've learned, that it's best to go with a combination that is "tried and true"! I am currently at 9-psi, and i believe (later on down the road) the most i will push it is 12-15psi... with that said, the simplest setup being the alky injection.
Even I would prefer to go with a solid A/A or A/W... but for compactness, clean install, shorted intake track, it's the alky injection for me (from Gregg at blowerworks). I haven't purchased it yet (for several reasons) but, "if" i keep the car, I'll probably purchase it... since I am out here in AZ and even in our "cooler" weather the intake track gets seriously hot!
I know its been discussed plenty, and I am not trying to debate the intercooler or no intercooler topic. In all the discussion I never saw the actual IAT numbers, that's what I was seeking. When I started this project the plan was to buy a hood from Toledo and duct the intercooler over the radiator, to help combat high water temps I am using a Dart block with a stock bore, gotta help a little. I am at the point now where if I didn't intercool it I could be driving the car very soon, getting a little impatient. I think after seeing those high IAT numbers getting some sort of intercooler on no matter how big a pain in the butt it may be would be my better option. I am open to any and all the advise I can get for sure.
opps- i apologize (lack of clarity on my end)! heat soak sux! I ran around town last summer without an intercooler, and I can tell you the car is definately not as fun without some sort of intake track cooling method.
My buddy has an 03' cobra, that thing was incredibly fun... for a very short amount of time... lol... he was planning on a larger intercooler or possibly meth injection. Although he sold the car before doing any modifications.
on the roots type blowers (specifically the one in my old miata) "could" see temperatures of up to 300 degrees!!!!
Originally Posted by stevebien
I know its been discussed plenty, and I am not trying to debate the intercooler or no intercooler topic. In all the discussion I never saw the actual IAT numbers, that's what I was seeking. When I started this project the plan was to buy a hood from Toledo and duct the intercooler over the radiator, to help combat high water temps I am using a Dart block with a stock bore, gotta help a little. I am at the point now where if I didn't intercool it I could be driving the car very soon, getting a little impatient. I think after seeing those high IAT numbers getting some sort of intercooler on no matter how big a pain in the butt it may be would be my better option. I am open to any and all the advise I can get for sure.
I took off the IC and add the water. I had heating problems with the IC at only 8-10 psi. I have 15 psi with water and no temp problems in OK city, OK. Water come on at low boost 3-4 psi. I wish I had done this back in 2000 when I got the blower and had high temp problems. Taking the Ic off and running a direct pipe gave me 2-3 psi. Then put a little smaller pulley on for 1-2 more psi. Douglas